15.020 Conversion From OHV to On-Highway

The following must be submitted:

• The California Certificate of Title or documents required to register the vehicle in the applicant’s name.

Vehicles originally manufactured for off-highway use without an odometer and converted to on-highway operation are exempt from the odometer disclosure requirement. A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form and/or Statement of Facts (REG 256) form are not required as evidence that there is no odometer on the vehicle.

• A REG 31 completed by an authorized DMV employee only.
• A REG 256 which states:
  “I have received the form CHP ### (appropriate form number must be shown—CHP 888 for motorcycles or CHP 885 for other vehicles) and certify this vehicle is in compliance with all requirements.”
  — The REG 256 cannot be signed by power of attorney or anyone other than the registered owner.

Note: Four-wheel all-terrain vehicles (Example: Kawasaki Mules, Polaris 4W side- by-side) cannot be registered for on-highway use (auto or commercial).

• Official brake and light certificates or electronic Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection (VSSI) certificates.
• A weight certificate for a commercial vehicle.
• A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form if, applicable.
• A smog certification, if applicable.
• Fees due.

Use the following chart to determine a motorcycle’s eligibility for on-highway registration:

If the Motorcycle Is a	Then it May
New motorcycle submitted on an Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form	Be registered for on-highway use.
1977 year model and older	Be registered for on-highway use.
1978 year model and newer with an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA and California standards for on-highway use or California standards only for on-highway use	Be registered for on-highway use, regardless of mileage.
1978 year model and newer with an emissions label indicating off-road or off-highway use only	Not be registered for on-highway use.
1978 year model and newer with an engine displacement of 50 cc or larger without an emissions label	Not be registered for on-highway use.
1978 through 1981 year models, an engine displacement of 50 cc or larger, and an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards only	Be registered for on-highway use (California Code of Regulations, Title 13 §1958(d)).
1982 year model and newer, an engine displacement of 50 cc or larger and an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards only	Be registered for on-highway use, unless it has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer (49-state refusal).
2005 year model and older with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc	Be registered for on-highway use.
2006 year model and newer, an engine displacement of less than 50 cc, and an emissions label indicating it meets U.S. EPA standards for on-highway use	Be registered for on-highway use.
2006 year model and newer and an engine displacement of less than 50 cc without a U.S. EPA emissions label	Not be registered for on-highway use.
Specially constructed (SPCNS) vehicle	Be registered for on-highway use if the motorcycle meets the definition of SPCNS (VC §580).

Any motorcycle or vehicle originally manufactured and registered for off-highway use cannot be converted for on-highway use, unless it is manufactured for dual purpose.

If the OHV’s engine bears a small off-road engine (SORE) label, refer to the Original OHV Registration Applications section in this chapter.

The procedures below must be followed:

• Collect regular registration and transfer fees.
• Issue on-highway license plates and stickers.
• Instruct the applicant to remove and destroy the OHV indicia.